What to Look for When Buying a House: Top Features and Red Flags to Consider

The home search can be one of the most exciting and overwhelming stages of the homebuying process, especially for first-time homebuyers. From location and price to structural concerns and potential red flags, there’s a lot to consider.. But what exactly should you look for when buying a house? 

In this Redfin article, we’ll highlight what to look for when buying a house so that you know what questions to ask as you begin the homebuying process. Whether you’re buying a home in Irvine, CA, or in Denver, CO, read on to find out the top features and red flags to consider along the way.

Key takeaways 

• Before touring a home: price, location, size, HOAs, property taxes, and amenities.
• During a home tour: style, roof, windows, HVAC, appliances, plumbing, foundation
• Red flags: water damage, mold, pest issues, neglect, odors, noise levels

6 things to consider before looking at homes

There are a variety of things to consider when looking for a home to buy – before you ever attend a home tour. Let’s explore them.

1) Price

One of the biggest mistakes a first-time homebuyer can make is getting attached to a home only to realize they can’t afford it. Get your budget in order before beginning your home search. First, determine your price range. Then, narrow down cities and neighborhoods with homes that fall within your budget. A home affordability calculator can help you answer these questions and determine what home prices are reasonable for your finances and debts. You’ll also want to ensure you’re pre-approved with your mortgage lender. 

2) Location

Location is the one thing you can’t change about your home, so choosing an area that fits your aesthetic, lifestyle, and budget is essential. Here are just some of the top things to consider about location:

Neighborhood: It’s likely you’re considering a few neighborhoods, so make sure to visit them at different times of the day to get a feel of what it’s like to live there. How loud is the area? Are the homes in good condition? Is there ongoing construction? If you can, speak to locals about what it’s like to live in the neighborhood. 

Commute: Is the home close to public transit or freeways? How far is your commute to work or the grocery store? Find out how long it takes to get to work and if traffic is common during rush hour. 

Public transit and walkability: Is there public transit in the neighborhood? Is it walking or biking distance to parks, shops, and restaurants? Or is it solely a residential neighborhood? If you rely on public transit to get places, it may not be a good idea to buy a home where buses or trams don’t stop.

Distance to airport: Whether you travel frequently or once a year, it’s important to know how far the airport is from the neighborhoods you’re looking at. Can you take transit to the airport? How long is the drive there? How much does it cost to get a rideshare?

Convenience: Is the home in a convenient location for you? How long will it take you to run errands during the week? Consider how close it is to shops, restaurants, parks, gyms, and other places you frequent. 

Flood risk: As flooding becomes more common, it’s crucial to understand if your home is in a flood zone. Homes in high-risk flood zones require flood insurance that is not typically included in homeowners insurance. They may also cost more upfront, depending on the flood risk.

School districts: Even if you don’t have children living in your home, school districts can impact the home’s value. Homes located in good school districts can often have a higher value when the time comes to sell.

Let your real estate agent know about your location priorities before starting to search. They may be able to suggest neighborhoods you’ve overlooked or let you know the pros and cons of an area where you’re searching.

3) Size

Chances are, one of the reasons you’re moving into a new home is for more space. So it’s important to determine how much space you really need. Here are some points to consider:

• Number of bedrooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Square footage
• Overall layout, like an open floor plan, one- or two-story
• If there’s a garage, attic, or basement space
• How much, if any, yard space

Knowing what points are most important can help you make the right decision when buying a house. You don’t want to invest in a home that doesn’t meet your needs.

4) Homeowners association (HOA)

If the property or home you’re looking for falls within a Homeowner’s Association (HOA), take the time to learn it. Ask about fees, the governing body, easements, and the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). Don’t overlook any rules or regulations, as these can lead to fines or other penalties.

Some other common questions to ask an HOA are:

• How do I pay fees?
• What do the fees cover?
• What are the fines per violation?
• How are board members elected?
• What are your parking policies?
• Can I convert my garage?
• How tall can my fence be?
• Are there any dates I need to be aware of?

Be as thorough as possible and take notes to ensure you remember the HOA rules.

5) Property taxes

Property taxes can impact a home’s affordability as the taxes vary depending on the value, location, and size of the property. Taxes are calculated by your local government, which means it can change if you’re looking at houses in neighboring counties. Not all areas require property taxes and some have exemptions for specific individuals, so it’s important to know what you can anticipate paying each year. 

6) Additional amenities 

You’ll want to make a list of your needs and wants – knowing what to look for when buying a house is easier once you’ve decided what’s important to you. Say you’re searching for a home with a pool. Maybe you’ve found a great community with an HOA and a community pool instead. Do you need lots of yard space to entertain? Or are you looking for a smaller yard, but a bigger home? Consider what you are willing to compromise on when looking for a home versus what’s a dealbreaker.

7 features to look at when buying a house

After you’ve determined your budget and preferred location, there are features you’ll want to look at while touring homes. Here’s what to look for:

1) Style

The type and style of home you’re looking for can change your budget, location, and more. For some homebuyers, the house style is a dealbreaker. Consider if you’re looking for a condo, townhouse, or single-family home. In general, single-family homes offer more unique styles, like Mediterranean and Victorian. However, you may be able to find some townhomes in different styles, like modern or craftsman. 

2) Roof

The roof is an essential part of any home – which means it can be expensive to repair. A home inspector may be able to check the roof, but there are still several questions you can ask when checking out a home. 

How old is the roof? Be sure to ask how old the roof is and what materials it’s made of. The materials used can change how long a roof lasts and when you can expect to replace it. Information about the roof and materials should be included in the seller’s disclosure, so be sure to ask your real estate agent. 

Are there signs of damage? Sometimes you can see visible signs of damage to a roof such as missing or curled shingles, cracks, or leaking. If you see yellow or brown spots on the ceilings in the home, that may indicate roof leakage. 

Does the seller have a roof certification letter? Not all homeowners will have this information, but in some cases, they may have a letter from a contractor or inspector that estimates the roof lifespan. 

Do I need a roof inspection? Home inspectors may check the roof, but not always. If you have concerns about the roof’s condition, consider a roof inspection. 

3) Windows

Windows are major features that can give you an idea about the home’s condition and energy efficiency. Check to see if the frames are even or if they look lopsided. Lopsided frames can indicate issues with the foundation or poor installation. Feel for drafts or if the area feels particularly cold or hot. Drafts can drive up your energy costs or indicate the windows aren’t well insulated.

Be sure to ask what type of windows are installed in the home. Are they single, double, or triple-pane windows? If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, the more insulation, the less you may have to pay in energy bills. 

4) HVAC

HVAC is a particularly important factor to consider when looking at homes as HVAC systems generally require professional installation and maintenance. It’s important to have a functioning HVAC system, regardless of where you live. 

Make sure to ask how old the HVAC systems are and if there are any recent maintenance records you can look at. Other questions to ask include – what is the primary method of heating the house? Does the home have central air conditioning or do you need a window AC unit? How old is the HVAC system?

If the HVAC system is less than 10 years old and has no visible signs of cracking, water damage, or rust, then it’s a good sign that the system is functioning properly. A home inspection can also identify any issues you may not see.

5) Appliances

Like HVAC, it’s important to know how old the appliances are and whether they’ve had service recently. Most appliances are expensive and some can take months to replace. Consider asking if the appliances are energy efficient and which ones come with the home. Sometimes sellers will take appliances with them when they move. Also, be sure to check the electrical outlets to make sure they’re in working condition.

6) Plumbing 

There are a few critical questions to ask about a potential home’s plumbing systems.

When were the sewer lines last replaced? Sewer line replacement can cost up to $5,000, so it’s important to know how old the lines are and if they were recently replaced. If the seller hasn’t provided any disclosures about the sewer lines and the home is over 20 years old, consider having a sewer scope inspection.

How old is the water heater? Water heaters usually last anywhere from 10-15 years and in some cases, you may actually find the installation date on the unit. If it’s emitting strange noises or looks rusted, consider having it inspected. 

How do sinks, showers, tubs, and toilets work? While touring a home, check to see if the toilet flushes, whether the hot water turns on in the sinks, and for signs of leaks under the kitchen or bathroom sinks. These can all be costly repairs, so it’s best to know now if there’s a problem. 

7) Foundation

A home’s foundation can cost quite a lot to repair so it’s a good idea to check the exterior for major signs of damage. It’s common to see smaller cracks in a home’s foundation, as it begins to settle into the ground. However, large gaps, bowing, or bulges in the foundation can be indicative of a larger problem. 

Some other signs to check for include cracks in the ceiling or drywall, gaps around doors and windows, uneven or sloping floors, and sunken porches or stairs. In some extreme cases, you may be able to visually see that the home is sinking or uneven. 

6 red flags to look for when buying a house

Once you know what to look for, you’ll also need to keep an eye out for red flags. As you begin your search, make a list of your deal-breakers and look out for the following red flags. 

1) Water damage

A major red flag to look out for is signs of water damage. Water damage, if left untreated, can lead to rotting, structural damage, and mold growth. One way to tell if there’s water damage is if you smell a musty odor when walking through the home. However, many times water damage isn’t visible and can hide behind walls or under the floor. A home inspection is crucial to finding any damage. If there’s water damage in the home inspection report, then you can consider asking the sellers to repair the damage.

2) Mold

Like water damage, mold is another issue to keep an eye out for when looking at homes. Mold is a health hazard and can be costly to fix – sometimes thousands of dollars. Water damage can cause mold hiding behind walls, but you may also see black or gray spots in bathrooms, around sinks, water pipes, and in showers. Depending on the damage, it may be a good idea not to purchase the home. 

3) Pest issues

Pests can be a problem in any region, but some areas are more prone than others. Having a pest or termite inspection can help identify any issues with pests on the property. If left untreated, pests can be a nuisance or cause damage to the home’s structure. 

4) Signs of neglect

You can check for signs of neglected home maintenance when you’re touring a home. Some signs are overgrown grass, unkempt yard, burnt-out lightbulbs, faded or chipped paint, and leaky faucets. These signs can indicate larger issues within the home. If a homeowner isn’t taking care of small tasks, it’s possible that they’ve also neglected larger home maintenance projects.

5) Odors or overwhelming scents 

Unpleasant odors and overwhelming fragrances can both be red flags when looking at a home. Smells like must and pets can be signs of home maintenance neglect. If you’re smelling overpowering scents like candles, diffusers, wax melts, and sprays can also be a red flag that the owners are trying to cover up odors. While some nice smells are normal and even encouraged during home tours, overpowering smells can be a bad sign.

6) Excessively loud neighbors or neighborhood

One major factor to consider when touring homes is the noise level. Loud neighbors or a noisy neighborhood can be a huge dealbreaker for many. Consider driving by the area at different times of the day. For example, it could be quiet in the afternoon, but maybe it’s near a major road so the mornings and evenings are filled with car noises. If the home is a condo or townhouse, consider touring the home when the neighbors are home to assess the noise level inside. 

Is the home near a train station or near the airport? Do the neighbors have dogs? Is the home near a major road or highway? These are all questions to consider when you’re on the home search.

At the end of the day, knowing what to look for when buying a home takes time and effort. There’s a lot to consider, but having a plan while touring homes and questions to ask can help you find the right place to call home. 

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